Chemical, biological, and radiological containment bag

ABSTRACT

An isolation apparatus for transporting and storing objects or human remains. The apparatus is formed of a flexible, foldable, opaque, generally box-like enclosure fabricated of a fiber reinforced plastic film, and welded together to form a sealed, air-tight and/or liquid-tight enclosure. A gas and liquid sealing zipper is positioned along three of four sides of the enclosure, thereby allowing the apparatus to open in a clamshell or suitcase-like manner, for easy access to the interior of the enclosure. An NBC and/or a CBRN filter can be mounted to the apparatus to allow for release of pressure from within the enclosure. An interior liner made of chemical protective fabric can be placed within the enclosure for additional chemical containment. This apparatus eliminates or significantly reduces the size and number of cracks, crevices and/or other voids into which contaminated materials can enter, for example by positioning, sizing and/or structuring welds to extend completely to an edge of the isolation apparatus, and/or by welding materials together entirely around one or more peripheries.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/995,049, filed on 24 Sep. 2007. The co-pending provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entiretyand is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portionswhich specifically appear hereinafter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an isolation apparatus for thestorage and transport of remains or equipment contaminated by chemical,biological, and/or radiological agents. The isolation apparatus has asize to accommodate and transport a contaminated body.

Governments and armed forces are increasingly concerned over thepotential for the use of chemical or biological weapons in terroristattacks or in warfare. There is also fear of outbreak from biologicalagents such as SARS, avian flu, and other biological agents. The use ofchemical or biological weapons creates special concerns for transport,especially as second-tier personnel do not typically have adequateprotective suits, training, and/or facilities for handling contaminatedremains and equipment. To avoid contamination of such personnel,transport assets, and other facilities, it is necessary to isolatecontaminated remains and/or critical equipment during transport orstorage.

Isolation of the contaminated remains or equipment is required toprevent contamination to first responders and care-givers, transport andother personnel, and transport assets and equipment. Storage and/ortransport of contaminated remains or equipment may be necessary forseveral reasons. Biologically contaminated remains cannot usually bedecontaminated by any method short of cremation. Decontamination ofbiologically contaminated equipment may be difficult and/or not readilyavailable. Chemical or radiological decontamination of remains andequipment may be difficult, not immediately possible, too large inscope, or not possible without transport to a decontamination center.

There is a need for an improved containment device suitable for handlingcontaminated remains or equipment in the field and for transporting theremains or equipment to a decontamination facility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an apparatus for isolating individual remains orequipment contaminated by chemical, biological, and/or radiologicalincidents, and having the ability to transport those remains orequipment while maintaining isolation and containment.

The general object of the invention can be attained, at least in part,through an isolation apparatus for transporting a contaminated object orperson. The isolation apparatus includes an enclosure formed of aplurality of flexible panels that define a transport chamber forreceiving the contaminated object or person. The enclosure can befoldable into a collapsed form having a significantly reduced length orfootprint and can have a cross-section no larger than that of theexpanded generally rectangular box-like enclosure. The enclosure has aclosable opening that provides access to the transport chamber, and agas tight and/or liquid tight fastener for closing the closable opening.An interior liner can be disposed within the transport chamber. Theinterior liner can be formed at least in part from a chemical protectivefabric for forming a chemical protective barrier between thecontaminated object or person and at least a portion of the enclosure.

The apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of this inventioncomprises an exterior opaque, flexible, generally rectangular box-likeenclosure or shell, having a bottom panel, a side wall, and a top panel.The side wall is secured to the bottom panel and the top panel with agas and liquid tight seal or weld. A gas tight and/or liquid tightfastener, e.g., a zipper or other slider assembly, is secured to theside wall over or within the closable opening on three sides, therebyallowing the enclosure to open in a suitcase-like fashion. Alternativeconfigurations are also contemplated, such a straight line side or topzipper and a two-dimensional design (i.e., no side wall).

The bottom panel is secured to at least one pair of lateral reinforcingstraps. Each of these one or more pairs of lateral reinforcing straps isconnected at the ends to form loops. The loops can serve as handholds,through which persons may grasp the containment bag and lift andtransport it to another site.

The isolation apparatus desirably includes aChemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear (CBRN) filter and/or aNuclear/Biological/Chemical (NBC) filter mounted to the side wall of theapparatus. The filter can release pressure from within the bag that mayresult, for example, from decomposition gas buildup or from aircraftdecompression, while blocking or preventing the escape of thecontaminating agent. The location of the filter on the side wall at thefoot end of the apparatus is desirable, so that the filter neither getswet from bodily fluids nor contacts the head of the remains.

The isolation apparatus desirably includes a chemical protective fabricliner that is chemical adsorptive, absorptive, and/or includes carbonsphere technology or activated charcoal, fastened, such as secured byhook-loop fasteners, on the bottom panel, the side wall and the toppanel. When remains or equipment are stored in the apparatus, the topportion of the liner is detached from the shell and used to shroud theremains or equipment. On the interior of the bottom panel of the lineran absorbent mat can be attached to absorb bodily fluids.

When remains or equipment are placed into the isolation apparatus, theexterior of the apparatus can easily be decontaminated because of theconstruction of the apparatus. The welded seams and connections of thisinvention eliminate or significantly reduce the size and number ofcracks, crevices and/or other voids into which contaminated materialscan enter, for example by positioning, sizing and/or structuring weldsto extend completely to an edge of the isolation apparatus, and/or bywelding materials (such as the reinforcing straps) together entirelyaround one or more peripheries. Alternative construction means includesewing of materials and sealing of the seams with a heat tape or othersuitable means.

As used herein, references to “weld” or “welded” is intended to relateto any suitable weld, adhesive, seal and/or other apparatus or device ormethod that provides a gas tight and/or liquid tight seal between two ormore materials.

Further, references herein to “a plurality” are to be understood torefer to more than one.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention, in anunfolded, zippered closed, ready-to-use extended state.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views of the apparatus of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention, inan open state, with an exploded view of the interior liner and theexterior enclosure of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A-B show a seam according to one embodiment of this invention.

FIGS. 7A-B show a side wall seam according to one embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 8 shows a further side wall seam according to one embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 9 shows the attachment of a zipper according to one embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a tube sealed to bag material, formingan exhaust port.

FIG. 11 shows an attachment of a filter to the exhaust port of FIG. 10.

Particular layers in the sectional views may not include crosshatchingfor clarity in the illustration of welds according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention provides an isolation apparatus, such as acontainment bag, for isolating remains and/or other objects that havebeen exposed to chemical, biological, and/or radiological agents. Theapparatus can be used for transporting these contaminated remains orobjects. Transportation is generally necessary to move such remains todecontamination facilities or safe, isolated storage locations.Isolation of the remains and/or objects is necessary either to protectthe transporter, the caregiver, or the unprotected personnel againstdangerous exposure to these same chemical, biological, and/orradiological agents.

This invention may take many different forms. The drawings and thedescription of this invention detail currently preferred embodiments ofthis invention. It should be understood that the present disclosure isto be considered as but an example of the principles of this invention.The present disclosure is not intended to limit the broad aspect of thisinvention to the embodiments illustrated.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an enclosure 12 for an isolation apparatus 10according to one embodiment of this invention. The enclosure 12 isdesirably formed of a plurality of flexible panels to provide aflexible, generally rectangular box-like enclosure 12, which ispreferably but not necessarily opaque. The enclosure 12 includes abottom panel 24, a side panel 14, and a top panel 22. In FIGS. 1-4, theside panel 14 is formed from a single piece of flexible material thathas the opposing ends welded together, such as by a weld discussed belowwith reference to FIGS. 7A-B. A bottom end 15 of the side panel 14 iswelded about a periphery of the bottom panel 24. The top panel 22 iswelded to a top end 17 of the side panel 14 about a periphery of the toppanel 22.

The flexible panels are welded to each other at seams 60 shown in FIG.3. Seams 60 can be formed of any suitable weld, adhesive, seal and/orother apparatus or device or method that provides a gas tight and/orliquid tight seal between the two or more materials. In one embodiment,the apparatus 10 desirably has an exterior plastic shell that is weldedin such a fashion that there are no cracks, crevices, pockets or othervoids, such as formed by overlapping material on the outer seams therebyfacilitating decontamination of the outer shell of the apparatus byallowing a decontamination agent to access and, for example, flush orotherwise rid or remove the contaminated material from within any suchvoid.

The enclosure 12 defines a transport chamber 25 that is capable ofreceiving a contaminated object or person. Access to the transportchamber 25 is provided by a closable opening 21. In order to provide agas and liquid tight enclosure 12, the closable opening 21 is providedwith a gas tight and/or liquid tight fastener 16 for closing theclosable opening. The closable opening 21 extends adjacent, but notnecessarily in contact with, a portion of a periphery of the top panel22. As seen in FIG. 5, the closable opening 21 is formed in the sidepanel. However, the closable opening can be formed at or in line withthe seam between the top panel 22 and side panel 14.

As mentioned above, the panels of the enclosure 12 are desirably formedof a flexible material. The flexible material can be any material, anddesirably includes a plastic film to provide the intended containment.One preferred exterior fabric or material for this enclosure 12 is anopaque, flexible, fiber-reinforced plastic film, such as a 30 mil (0.030inch) polyurethane (PU) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) (or any othersuitable weldable plastic) coated nylon webbing. In one embodiment ofthis invention, the fiber reinforced plastic film is a laminate havingone or more fabrics or web materials disposed between at least two filmlayers. One manufacturer of a suitable exterior material is PhoenixFilms, Inc., in Clearwater, Fla.

The enclosure 12 includes an exhaust port 30 that has a first end 31within the transport chamber 25 and a second end 32 that is opposite thefirst end 31. The second end is desirably external of the transportchamber 25. At least one of the first end 31 and the second end 32receives a fitting for securing a filter thereto, as will be describedfurther below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the bottom panel 24 includes or haswelded to it one or more pairs of lateral reinforcing straps 26. Thestraps can be formed from the same or different material than theflexible panels, such as PU or PVC coated nylon webbing. For thepurposes of some embodiments of this invention, “lateral” means strapsthat are generally perpendicular to the main axis of the apparatus 10.The straps 26, which are secured to the outside of the bottom panel 24,serve as supplemental structure for reinforcing the bottom panel 24. Thestraps 26 are desirably applied to the outside of the bottom panel 24 bya weld that seals around at least the entire edge of the contact area ofthe strap 26, thereby reducing or mostly eliminating any crevice orpocket between the straps 26 and the bottom panel 24, so as to minimizeany collection area for contaminants.

As maybe seen in FIGS. 1-4, the lateral ends of each reinforcing strap26 can form handhold loops. The isolation apparatus 10 and the remainsor equipment within may be lifted and transported by individuals orother transporters placing hands in the handholds 26. In addition, asmay be seen in FIG. 1, handholds 28 may be provided at the foot end 18and the head end 20 of the apparatus 10. The handholds 28 are generallyformed in the same manner and can be made, for example, of the samecoated nylon webbing material as the lateral reinforcing straps 26.

The interior of the enclosure 12 of the apparatus 10 can have hookfasteners 46 welded or otherwise fastened to the interior surface of thetop panel 22, the interior surface of the side panel 14, and/or theinterior surface of the bottom panel 24 for attachment of an interiorliner, as shown in FIG. 5.

The interior liner in FIG. 5 is shown as shroud 40, having a generalsize and configuration to correspondingly match the interior surface ofthe enclosure 12. The shroud 40 is desirably formed of a chemicalabsorptive and/or barrier material. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5,the shroud 40 has a bottom panel 52, a side panel 48, and a top panel42, that are sewn or otherwise secured together and that correspond tothe panels of the enclosure 12. The outside of the top panel 42 of theshroud 40 has loop fasteners 44 that are fastened to the hook fasteners46 on the interior side of the enclosure top panel 22. The outside ofthe side panel 48 of the shroud 48 has loop fasteners 44 that arefastened to the hook fasteners 46 on the interior side of the enclosureside panel 14. The outside of the bottom panel 52 of the shroud 40 alsohas loop fasteners 44 that are fastened to the hook fasteners 46 on theinterior side of the enclosure bottom panel 24.

When remains or equipment are placed into the containment bag of theapparatus 10, the top panel 42 of the shroud 40 can be detached from thefasteners 46 and used to cover the remains or equipment. The closableopening 21 of the enclosure 12 can then be closed to create a gas tightand/or liquid tight heavy duty exterior shell. The interior shroud 40functions to adsorb, absorb, and/or react with one or more chemicalagents from the chemically contaminated equipment or remains that mayotherwise degrade the plastic enclosure over time. This interior shroud40 allows the isolation apparatus 10 to be used for extended periods oftime, such as in chemical warfare environments.

The liner or shroud 40 is desirably made of chemical adsorptive orabsorptive material, such as a chemical adsorptive barrier fabric.Suitable materials for forming the liner or shroud 40 include materialsincorporating carbon sphere or activated charcoal material technology.Such materials are commonly used in chemical protective suits. Aparticularly preferred material is a carbon sphere technology fabricavailable under the trade name SARATOGA by Blücher GmbH (Düsseldorf,Germany). SARATOGA fabric is described by the manufacturer as acomposite filter fabric based on highly activated and hard carbonspheres fixed onto textile carrier fabrics. Other exemplary activatedcharcoal and/or carbon sphere materials are manufactured by GentexCorporation (Simpson, Pa.) under the trade name LIFETEX. Further, anabsorptive mat 66 can optionally be included with or sewn to the bottompanel 52 of the shroud 40, to provide additional absorption of fluids orother material within the transport chamber 25.

FIG. 6A-B illustrate a seam 60 according to one embodiment of thisinvention. FIG. 6B illustrates the formation of the seam 60 between thetop panel 22 and the side panel 14, but the construction can be repeatedat other seams between other components. FIG. 6A shows the top panel 22and the side panel 14 in a configuration for creating the welds of seam60. Each of top panel 22 and side panel 14 includes a web 74 disposedbetween two plastic film layers 72 and 76. The connection at seam 60 isformed by two welds 68. The welds 68 can be formed by any suitablemethod, such as radio frequency (RF) welding, to partially melt thelayers 76 together. The particular configuration of two welds 68 and aweld spacing 70 therebetween is particularly beneficial in case one weld68 is compromised.

FIG. 6B illustrates the folding of the top panel 22 and side panel 14into the final position, thereby placing the seam 60 within thetransport chamber 25. In one embodiment of this invention, all ends of apanel are disposed either within the enclosure 12 or outside of theenclosure 12. In this way, contaminants within the chamber cannot wickthrough the fibrous reinforcement layers from inside of the enclosure 12to outside of the enclosure 12.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the connection of the two ends ofthe side panel 14. The two ends of the side panel 14 meet at seam 84. Aweld panel 82 is welded over the seam 84 using more than one weld, and,more particularly, three welds 68. As shown in FIG. 7, the welds 68desirably contact the ends of the weld panel 82, thereby not providing acrevice between the weld panel 82 and the side panel 14 that could holdcontaminants from a contaminated site.

FIG. 8 illustrates the connection of the top panel 22 with the sidepanel 14 in the area of the weld panel 82. As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and8, the weld panel 82 does not extend to the end 17 of the side panel 14.In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a portion of the weld panel 82is welded between the top panel 22 and the side panel 14, and the toppanel 22 and the side panel 14 are welded directly together in an area(over seam 84) at the end of the weld panel 82.

FIG. 9 illustrates the connection of the gas tight and/or liquid tightfastener 16 to the side panel 14. In one embodiment of this invention,the gas tight and/or liquid tight fastener 16 comprises a sliderassembly, such as zipper 88. The zipper 88 includes a zipper chain 86extending between two opposing end stops 85 (shown in FIG. 5). At eachend stop 85, the two chain tape components 83 that form the chain 86 aresecured together by welds 90. An optional zipper reinforcement member87, such as a strip of the fiber/plastic laminate discussed above, canbe attached over the zipper chain in an area adjacent to at least one ofthe end stops 85 to keep the end stop 85 from ripping or otherwiseseparating during use. Each of the two chain tape components 83 arewelded by two welds 68 to the side panel 14 on one side of the accessopening 21.

One suitable type of zipper 88 that can be used to prevent air or liquidcontaminant passage between the inside and the outside of the apparatusis known as a pressure sealed zipper. Such zippers are available fromYKK, Corporation, 1, Kandaizumi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8642, Japan.As maybe seen in FIG. 1, the zipper 88 is adhered and/or secured to, andthe apparatus 10 opens along: (i) one lengthwise side of the apparatus10; and (ii) the two opposite ends 18 and 20 of the apparatus 10. It isnot secured to the opposite lengthwise side of the apparatus 10.Essentially, the zipper 88 can extend along three of the four sides ofthe apparatus 10. Accordingly, the zipper 88 can be opened to eitherplace remains or equipment within or remove a remains or equipment fromthe apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 opens along a hinge formed by theopposite (non-zipper) side. As a result, the apparatus 10 can open likea clamshell or a suitcase. This suitcase-type opening of the apparatus10 enables the content to be easily loaded and removed.

A locking strap 89, for example, made from the same plastic laminatematerial as the exterior shell of the apparatus 10, is welded onto theexterior of the enclosure 12. The locking strap 89 is spot welded at itstwo ends to form a loop. An optional tie (e.g., wire, cable, or zip tie)can be passed through the loop and the zipper handle assembly andtightened to lock the zipper 88 in its closed state.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the attachment of the exhaust port 30.The foot-end 18 of the apparatus 10 includes the exhaust port 30, whichcomprises a PU and/or PVC (for example) tube welded to the side panel14. The end of the exhaust port tube 30 that is external of thetransport chamber 25 is welded to the outside of the side panel 14between the side panel 14 and a port panel 64.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of a filter fitting for the exhaustport 30. Two plastic female thread fittings 56 are clamped within theport 30 by clamps 62. An optional tape, such as a self-sealing siliconetape can be placed over the clamps 62 once clamped. A filter 58 can bescrewed into the fittings 56 on one or both sides of the port 30. Filter58 can be an NBC or CBRN filter, such as those available from SafetyTechInternational, Inc. (Frederick, Md.). Desirably, the filter 58 is atleast applied to the inside fitting 58. A second filter 58 disposed onthe external fitting 56 can be used to ensure the desired releaseproperties are sustained even if the inside filter 58 has become wet.The filter 58 allows for release of pressure from within the bag, forexample that may result from decomposition gas buildup or from aircraftdecompression, while preventing or blocking the escape of thecontaminating agent. A tethered cap 60 can be used to cover the externalfilter fitting 56, such as during a decontamination method.

An optional check valve 94 can be included between the external fitting56 and any filter 58, thereby ensuring no decontamination fluid is ableto enter the transport chamber 25, such as if and when the apparatus 10is dipped in such decontamination fluid. An optional diffuser cap 96 canalso be added to one of the filters 58 to direct the filtered gas in oneor more directions for an external filter 58 or limit direct contact onan internal filter 58 with fluid within the transport chamber 25, suchas when the bag is picked up at end 20. The diffuser cap 96 preferablyincludes radial openings, and can be attached to the filter 58 by anymeans, such as clamp 98 or a threaded attachment.

Thus, the invention provides an isolation apparatus that when closed iscompletely air sealed and liquid sealed. Particularly, the generallyreinforced plastic enclosure can be impervious to the surroundings, andcan prevent contaminants from leaving or entering the apparatus.Specific embodiments have been illustrated and described. There areother possible modifications, such as sizes, shapes, and configurationsof the panels, other components, and connections between components,without significantly departing from the spirit of this invention. Anycomponent or element or method discussed in this specification, can beused in combination with or substituted with any component or element ormethod which may have a similar function and/or which may produce asimilar result.

The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practicedin the absence of any element, part, step, component, or ingredientwhich is not specifically disclosed herein.

While in the foregoing detailed description this invention has beendescribed in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and manydetails have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptibleto additional embodiments and that certain of the details describedherein can be varied considerably without departing from the basicprinciples of the invention.

1. An isolation apparatus for transporting a contaminated object orperson, comprising: an enclosure including a plurality of flexiblepanels defining a transport chamber for receiving the contaminatedobject or person and a closable opening providing access to thetransport chamber; a gas tight and liquid tight fastener for closing theclosable opening; and an interior liner disposed within the transportchamber, the interior liner comprising a chemical protective fabric forforming a chemical protective barrier between the contaminated object orperson and at least a portion of the enclosure.
 2. The isolationapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of enclosurefasteners on an inside surface of the enclosure for securing theinterior liner to the enclosure.
 3. The isolation apparatus of claim 1,wherein the chemical protective fabric comprises a chemical adsorptiveor absorptive material, carbon spheres, or activated charcoal.
 4. Theisolation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust port incombination with the enclosure for venting gas within the transportchamber.
 5. The isolation apparatus of claim 4, wherein the exhaust portincludes a first end within the transport chamber and a second endopposite the first end and external of the transport chamber, at leastone of the first end and the second end having a fitting for securing afilter thereto.
 6. The isolation apparatus of claim 5, furthercomprising at least one filter connectable to at least one of the firstend or the second end of the exhaust port.
 7. The isolation apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of flexible panels comprises afiber reinforced plastic film.
 8. The isolation apparatus of claim 7,wherein the plurality of flexible panels comprises a bottom panel, aside panel, and a top panel, a bottom end of the side panel is weldedabout a periphery of the bottom panel, at least a portion of the toppanel is welded to at least a portion of the side panel, and theclosable opening extends adjacent a portion of a periphery of the toppanel.
 9. The isolation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the linercomprises a shroud including a bottom shroud panel, a side shroud panelconnected about a periphery of the bottom shroud panel, and a top shroudpanel having a portion connected to a portion of the side shroud panel.10. The isolation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the closable opening isformed in the side panel.
 11. The isolation apparatus of claim 8,further comprising a plurality of straps attached to an outside surfaceof the bottom panel of the enclosure.
 12. The isolation apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the gas tight and liquid tight fastener comprises azipper.
 13. The isolation apparatus of claim 12, further comprising alocking strap attached to an exterior of the enclosure at an end of thegas tight and liquid tight fastener for securing the fastener in aclosed position.
 14. The isolation apparatus of claim 12, wherein thezipper comprises a zipper chain extending between two opposing endstops, and further comprising a zipper reinforcement member attachedover the zipper chain in an area adjacent to at least one of theopposing end stops.
 15. An isolation apparatus for transporting acontaminated object or person, comprising: a plurality of flexiblepanels defining a transport chamber for receiving the contaminatedobject or person; a closable opening providing access to the transportchamber; a gas tight and liquid tight slider assembly for closing theclosable opening; an exhaust port for venting gas within the transportchamber, the exhaust port including a first end within the transportchamber and a second end opposite the first end and external of thetransport chamber, at least one of the first end and the second endhaving a fitting for securing a filter thereto; and an interior linerdisposed within the transport chamber, the interior liner comprising achemical protective fabric for forming a chemical protective barrierbetween the contaminated object or person and at least a portion of theenclosure, the chemical protective fabric including carbon spheres oractivated charcoal.
 16. The isolation apparatus of claim 15, wherein theplurality of flexible panels comprises a bottom panel, a side panelabout a periphery of the bottom panel, and a top panel having a portionconnected to a portion of the side panel, and the liner comprises ashroud including a bottom shroud panel, a side shroud panel connectedabout a periphery of the bottom shroud panel, and a top shroud panelhaving a portion connected to a portion of the side shroud panel. 17.The isolation apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality offlexible panels comprises an enclosure fastener on an inside surface forsecuring to a corresponding panel of the interior shroud.
 18. Theisolation apparatus of claim 15, wherein the gas tight and liquid tightfastener comprises a pressure sealed zipper.
 19. An isolation apparatusfor transporting a contaminated object or person, comprising: a flexibleenclosure defining a transport chamber for receiving the contaminatedobject or person, the enclosure comprising a bottom panel, a side panelwelded about a periphery of the bottom panel, and a top panel having aportion welded to a portion of the side panel, the side panel includinga closable opening providing access to the transport chamber, and eachof the bottom panel, the side panel, and the top panel formed at leastin part from a fiber reinforced plastic film; a gas tight and liquidtight slider assembly in combination with the closable opening; anexhaust port for venting gas within the transport chamber, the exhaustport including a first end within the transport chamber and a second endopposite the first end and external of the transport chamber, each ofthe first end and second ends having a fitting for securing a filterthereto; and an interior liner disposed within the transport chamber,the interior liner comprising a chemical protective fabric for forming achemical protective barrier between the contaminated object or personand at least a portion of the enclosure, the chemical protective fabricincluding carbon spheres or activated charcoal.
 20. The isolationapparatus of claim 19, wherein the liner comprises a shroud including abottom shroud panel, a side shroud panel connected about a periphery ofthe bottom shroud panel, and a top shroud panel having a portionconnected to a portion of the side shroud panel, and each of the bottomshroud panel, the side shroud panel, and the top shroud panel is securedby a fastener to a corresponding one of the bottom panel, the sidepanel, or the top panel of the enclosure.